Wednesday, May 9, 2012Northeast Ohio to receive millions for demolition projectSummit, Cuyahoga, Lorain and Stark are eligible for nearly $20 million to tear down foreclosed homesStory by KELLI FITZPATRICK

Northeast Ohio counties are getting a large portion of $75 million in grants through a statewide demolition program. The funds come from the national mortgage settlement reached earlier this year over foreclosure abuses and fraud.

Summit County can apply for nearly $4 million. Connie Krauss (kr-OW-s) is the director of Summit’s Department of Community and Economic Development. She says most of that will be put towards Akron, Barberton and Cuyahoga Falls, which have the majority of abandoned and deteriorated properties.

“That money is significant when you consider it’s about $7,000 to $10,000 for a demolition; that’s a lot of structures you could improve, a lot of vacant houses that you could get rid of and use the land for new housing.”

Funding is allocated to each county based on its percentage of foreclosure filings between 2008 and 2011. Cuyahoga County is eligible for $12 million and Stark and Lorain can each receive $2 million.

Krauss says her department is in the beginning stages of applying for grants and communicating with cities. Summit county council will need to approve all grant submissions.